PALMIPEDES. 415 
¢ 
We may also distinguish from the other Terns, 
Pa tt ° 
® 
: 
Tur Noppisgs, 
Whose tail is not forked, and is nearly as long as the wings. 
There is a slight projection under their bill, the first indication of 
_ that in the Mauves. But one species is known, 
~ . St: stolida, L.3 Noddi noir, Eni. 997 (The Noddy), which is 
a blackish sole | top of the head whitish. Celebrated for the 
blundering manner in which it throws itself on vessels.(1) 
Ruyncuoprs, Lin. 
The Skimmers resemble the Terns in their small feet; long wings 
and forked tail, but are distinguished from all birds by their extra- 
ordinary bill, the upper mandible of which is shorter than the other, 
both being flattened so as to form simple blades, which meet without 
clasping. Their only mode of feeding is by skimming their aliment 
from the surface of the water with the lower PanliDls, which they 
effect while on the wing. One species, 
Rhym. nigra, L., Enl. 357 (The Black Skimmer), is white, 
with a black ridin and calotte; a white band on the wing; 
outside of the external quills of the tail white; bill and feet red; 
hardly as large as a Pigeon. From the vicinity of the An- 
tilles.(2) 
FAMILY WI. 
TOTIPALMATA. 
The birds of this family are remarkable for having the thumb | 
united with the toes by one single membrane, a mode of or- 
ganization that renders their feet complete oars, notwithstand - 
‘ing which, they perch upon trees, being almost the only Palmi- 
pedes who do so. They all fly well and have short feet. 
Linnzus separated them into three genera, the first of which 
it was necessary to subdivide. 
(1) The St. philippensis, (Sonner. Voy. I, pl. Ixxxv,) does not appear to differ 
from the sfolida;—the St. fuscata, Lath., Briss., VI, pl. xxi, 1, also seems to be- 
long to this subgenus, as well as the St. tenucrostris, T. Col. 202. 
(2) Add Rhyn. flavirostris, Vieill. Gal. 291;—4h. cinerascens, Spix, Clj—Li. 
- brevirostris, Id. CI. 
